An Update: Shadowing, Chocolate, Activites and Spring Break Already?!

Hello there everyone! First I must apologize for this overdue post. A few of my family and friends *coughcough* my lovely Auntie T's and Ellie *coughcough* have been asking for a post about what's been going on in the Steinbach world. Well, there is maybe, kinda just a little bit to tell you about so let's hope I remember all of our recent life events.

First off, several people have been wondering about my shadowing experience on Friday at Lincoln High. There isn't much to tell you except my experience was really awesome! I was paired with a 9th grader named Olivia who was extremely welcoming, kind and fun to be around.
Coincidentally, Olivia is a theatre kid so I was able to experience her Choir Class and said she would "drag me to the theatre," if I don't join next year. Olivia is also a soprano so I was able to sing along with many of their exercises and songs.
I also went to her French class which was fun because they were talking about French Style and media. The student teacher asked the small class, "Does anyone here know where Versailles is?" I was very tempted to shout out, "I've been there before!!" I didn't of course but you know...I really wanted to.
Olivia's 2nd Period class was Geometry where I was the 1st student to actually answer one of the problems correctly. The teacher seemed extremely surprised that I answered a question because I was a shadow. I was like, "Hi! My name is Bailey and I am an active student who may talk a lot and isn't afraid to show what she knows." *Smile* Even better I completely understood what was going on in the class even though I'm still in Algebra. Saying this, my current math teacher is recommending me for Geometry next year.
From there we went to PE Class where I pretty much could smell sweat and a LOT of testosterone. Olivia, her friends and I, played with this GIANT volleyball and spent a lot of it getting to know each other. We talked about movies, Lincoln High and how to avoid guys that are jerks. They were all so nice and their welcoming attitude made me forget I was a shadow. It also helped to enforce how glad I am choosing to go to Lincoln High.
At lunch we all ate in the library. One of Olivia's guy friends made me an origami swan/dog/T-Rex hybrid out of his hamburger wrapper. We discussed traveling and everything from classes to Instagram.
From there, Olivia and I rushed to her Social Studies Class where I met another shadower from my school named Jacob. I gave him some paper to doodle on and in return he gave me the papers back filled with his doodles and punk-rock song lyrics. In this class, the students were writing introductions for papers talking about "mammys" which I wasn't familiar with until that afternoon. It was interesting to hear the opinions of the class and the intelligent writing of the 9th graders.
For the last 2 periods Olivia and I went to Science-Honors and English. For the 2 classes I pretty much sat around because in both they were doing tests.
In total, I really, really enjoyed my shadowing experience. I think it was a GREAT opportunity and I am very thankful I took it. I was conversing with an old teacher through email the other day, and I said the only thing I will now fear is getting lost in the giant school.

The 2nd thing I would like to tell everyone about is my mom. You may or may not know, but recently as in the last 2 months, she has been avidly making chocolates. My personal favorites are her salted caramel and almond. They are to die for!
We got the news about a week ago that she will be getting the chance to use her chocolates as wedding gifts at a family-friends wedding. She was overjoyed and my Dad, Lauren and myself are all very proud of her hard work and determination towards this new and hopefully successful hobby.
She is currently thinking of a name, business card and more selections for flavors.

The next update are on Lauren and my activities. Both of us are participating in a beginning teen tennis class. We got one of the best coaches and so we are fully enjoying our experience.
Lauren is currently also doing Jazz Band playing the Alto Saxophone. She is also in volleyball where she is perfecting her serving and is the tallest one there!
I am doing voice and working hard at having my voice not crack while I sing.

Last but not least is our families plans for Spring Vacation. A little while ago we had the surprise that had our entire family jumping with joy. Especially my dad.
We are going to Disney World!
The weeks leading up to this announcement, Lauren and I were told we were going skiing. I was admittedly disappointed about not learning to ski even though I will have future opportunities. But, Disney World is something we were expecting to do this October so this was such a great and happy surprise!
 

I hope this filled you all in on our happenings!

Until later,

xxBaileyxx

Music Review: Sweet but Sour Grammy Awards, Being 'Invisible' and One Direction's More Wild Side.

Hey there!
I know I haven't posted for a while, though I hope this post makes up for the lost time. Ugh. It wasn't lost--I think I may have wasted it.

Okay, so as you may know the musical community has been in a buzz about some of the latest musical releases and shows. About 2 weeks ago were the Grammys where Daft Punk won some 10000 awards, that in my opinion, they didn't deserve, Hunter Hayes released his wonderful new song Invisible and One Direction released their questionable video for 'Midnight Memories'. In this blog post I will be talking about these things plus an end note on Sherlock.

Okay, so I admit I didn't actually watch the Grammys on the actual night that they were played. I did hear the outcomes and I was happy and disappointed with many of the results. I completely loved the fact that Macklemore won 4 Grammys including Best Rap Album. I did though, take the time to watch their performance of 'Same Love' which was absolutely OUTSTANDING.
'Royals' won Song of the Year, which it deserved but should've won, The Most Overplayed Song of the Year. Michael Buble won Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album which was the best judgment of the Grammy committee in the entire show. 2 robots, Daft Punk, won BIG even though the only lyrics 'Get Lucky' have are "We're up all night to get lucky." Darius Tucker won Best Country Solo Performance which I just ignored since Hunter Hayes was up for the award too and well,...you know how I love Hunter Hayes. 'Merry Go Round' won Best Country Song which I have to applaud because Kacey Musgraves is beyond amazing. She has such great songs with awesome messages that I can't help but agree with. Musgraves also went home with Best Country Album which she no doubt deserved after years of work and great music.

 

Macklemore's Grammy performance of 'Same Love' where 30 couples were wed.

Hunter Hayes was involved in this year's Grammys. He debuted his newest song 'Invisible' during the show and blew away faithful fans and listeners with the song's message. It reviews his past when he was bullied. "There were a lot of messages about fitting in with music and how purposeful music can be — this sense of having a place where you always fit in and music being that place," Hayes told USA Today. "There's a lot of soul-searching on this next record." 'Invisible' is extremely different from Hayes' past singles. It explores a darker side but not to the point where it kills off the young fans of his music. I am personally a fan of this new song, and I am eager to see where his new album will land him. Hayes was also named as Billboard's new artists to keep an eye on during one of their more recent podcasts.

On the talk of music to keep an eye on, One Direction's newest music video, their somewhat obnoxious song, 'Midnight Memories', was released on the 31st of January. Let me start this part of the post by saying that the song 'Midnight Memories' simply alarmed me. It not only has a very loud rock sound but it also has the lyrics like, "People talk shhh but we don't listen". Also after the reading the article, 9 Times One Direction Break the Law in Midnight Memories' Video it started my questioning the song in general. One Direction are at a turning point in their lives and we understand that, but is it really necessary to break, destruct and make a mess of everything they do in their video? It is quite annoying at this point, considering they also did this in 'Best Song Ever' their summer anthem. I am not a huge fan of the video for 'Midnight Memories' and let's hope they won't regret having a wonderful video for 'Story of My Life' released only months before this "bad-boy" tune.

To end this post, I'd just like to say the game is on--oh my gosh, the game is on.

Until later,

xxBaileyxx